Waterproof snap case for watches



March 3, `1959 H. nlNsTMAN WATERPROOF SNAP lCASEV FOR WATCHES y1mm April 1e, 1957 INVENTOR. y HYMHN DINSTMHN l 7M ATTORNEY AUnited States Patent This invention relates to new and useful improvements in watchcases.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of an improved case for wrist, pocket, lapel and other watches which will easily and quickly encase a watch movement in a dustproof and waterproof manner.

As a further object, the present invention proposes forming the watchcase with a bezel, liner and back constructed and arranged so that the back will engage the liner with a lever action snap removably and watertightly to mount it on the bezel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple sealing of the watchcase and a pendant xed to the liner and of like material extending through a pendant opening in the bezel.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a watchcase housing a watch movement and constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the watchcase in accordance with the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 15.

Watchcase has a bezel 16 which preferably is made of metal. Bezel 16 is annular and has a back seating recess 17 with a rear gasket groove 18, a front crystal seating recess 19 and an outer periphery 20 with a thumbpiece 21 adjacent the -backseating recess 17. Bezel 16 also has a pendant opening 22.

Mounted inside the bezel is a nylon liner 23 which also is annular and which has a stem opening 24 alignable with the pendant opening 22 in the bezel. The liner 23 has an upper .surface 25 adjacent the front crystal seating recess 19 of the bezel 16 and a crystal 26 is mounted in the front crystal seating recess 19 of the bezel and cemented to the liner upper surface 25. The crystal may be of plastic for an integral bond with the nylon liner.

Liner 23 is also adjacent the rear gasket groove 18 of the bezel and a resilient ring gasket 27 of rubber or plastic or like compressible material is mounted in the groove 18. The ring 27 is of` a diameter greater than the depth of the groove 18 and less than the width of the groove. Liner 23 has a rounded rear inner edge 28 and a lower surface 29 disposed in a plane above or outwardly of the lower or inner periphery of the ring gasket 27.

A watch back 30, preferably of stainless steel or other metal, is adapted removably to fit on the bezel to encase a watch movement 31 in the case. Back 30 has an angular inwardly disposed flange lever 32 with a liner engaging portion 33 and a gasket engaging portion 34 angularly disposed with relation to one another.

The dange lever 32 has an inner cam edge 35 slidably to engage the liner edge 28 for the flange lever to mount the back on the liner with a lever action snap. The

2,875,574 Patented Mar. 3, 1959 ICC gasket engaging portion 34 of lever 32 compresses the ring gasket and seals the space between the back and the bezel when the back is in the back .seating recess of the bezel.

A pendant 36, preferably of nylon, is mounted in the pendant opening of the bezel and fixed, as by cement, to the liner. The stem 37 of a watch fits through the pendant and the stern opening of the liner to the watch movement. Back 30 is provided with four notches 38 equally spaced and simulating key notches for ease in putting the back on the case and in removing it.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letter-s Patent l. A watchcase comprising a bezel having a back seating recess with a rear gasket groove and a front crystal seating recess, a liner in the bezel adjacent the rear gasket groove and the front crystal seating recess, a crystal mounted on the bezel and on the liner in the front seating recess of the bezel, a resilient gasket in the gasket groove of the bezel between the bezel and the liner, and a back having an angular inwardly disposed ange lever adapted to snap on the liner and compress the gasket removably to mount the back watertightly on the bezel in the back seating recess of the bezel, said flange lever having a liner engaging portion and a gasket engaging portion angularly disposedwith relation to the liner engaging portion, said bezel having an outer periphery with a thumbpiece adjacent the back seating recess, said liner having a rounded rear inner edge and said liner engaging portion of the flange lever having an inner slanting cam edge slidably to engage the liner, said gasket being a ring of a diameter greater than the depth of the gasket groove in the bezel and less than the width of said gasket groove.

2. A watchcase comprising a bezel having a back seating recess with `a rear gasket groove and a front crystal seating recess, a liner in the bezel adjacent the rear gasket groove and the front crystal seating recess, a crystal mounted on the bezel and on the liner in the front seating recess of the Ibezel, a resilient gasket in the gasket groove of the bezel between the .bezel and the liner, and a back having an angular inwardly disposed llange lever adapted to snap on the liner and compress the gasket removably to mount the back watertightly on the bezel in the back seating recess of the bezel, said flange lever having a liner engaging portion and a gasket engaging portion angularly disposed with relation to the liner engaging portion, said bezel having an outer periphery with a thumbpiece adjacent the back seating recess, said liner having a rounded rear inner edge and said liner engaging portion of the flange lever having an inner slanting cam edge slidably to engage the liner, said liner having a stem opening and said bezel having a pendant opening alignable with the stem opening of the liner and a pendant insaid pendant opening of the bezel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,735,259 Gisiger Feb. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 197,347 Switzerland July 16, 1938 290,951 Switzerland Aug. 17, 1953 292,725 Switzerland May 1, 1954 

